Results 1-20 of 1,086,146 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Ciarán Cuffe OR speaker:David Stanton OR speaker:Barry Cowen OR speaker:Christopher O'Sullivan OR speaker:Seán Haughey OR speaker:John McGuinness OR speaker:Chris Andrews OR speaker:Ossian Smyth OR speaker:Kieran O'Donnell OR speaker:Paul Donnelly)

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: I will not labour the point. The retailers have reported it to me, the Garda and any public representative they have met in this House. It seems there is almost a reluctance to tackle that illegal activity head-on and prevent it. They refer to the lack of scanners at the various entry points to the country. I am highlighting it here because my background was in retail at one stage, and I...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: Since it is placed on record, the Minister of State might send the committee a copy of a note to that effect and maybe raise it with the chairman of Revenue and ask him to correspond with the committee, whoever is here after 29 November, or whenever it is going to be. We will be able to take it up. They are genuine, honest-to-God cases.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: I thank the Minister of State.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: I propose that we agree that consideration of Supplementary Estimates for the Department of Finance has concluded. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Message to the Dáil (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: In accordance with Standing Order 101, the following message will be sent to the Dáil: The Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach has completed its consideration of the following Supplementary Estimate for public services for the year ending 31 December 2024: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: We will continue our consideration of the Estimates. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, and his team of officials. As usual, we will have an opening statement and members can then question the Estimates.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: Does Deputy Conway-Walsh wish to contribute?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: Can the Minister of State fill us in a little on the boat that is being held? The Minister of State outlined it there. It is a €20 million cost.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: That is okay.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: Who gains from the payment of that €20 million? How does it happen?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: I understand. Can the Minister of State tell me a little about the black economy and the Revenue Commissioners' examination of containers that come in through our ports relative to cigarette smuggling, alcohol smuggling and so on? We have been told by those at the coalface of retail business that there is a huge amount of undetected cigarettes and alcohol coming through the ports and that...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: That does not take from the fact that it is reported to us that there was a €48 million loss of revenue to the State because of the quantity of cigarettes and alcohol being smuggled through our ports. That affects small retailers. I understand that one can buy illegal cigarettes within a stone's throw of this House. There are known outlets that sell illegal cigarettes. There are...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (Supplementary)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Supplementary)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Supplementary)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Once again, it is important to note that the project is proceeding. The grant came through the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. It is a very important scheme. I will ask the officials to engage with Mayo County Council on any interim measures. Normally, such measures come forward from the local authority. The OPW will look at any proposals from a technical...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (Supplementary)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Supplementary)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Supplementary)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: May I make a general observation? I am not a technical person. Schemes take a long time but that scheme is now going ahead. There is absolute certainty on that. The IPP scheme was brought in as an interim measure for Crossmolina. I have no doubt that people are very frustrated but the scheme is now going ahead and will provide absolute reassurance to the people of the Crossmolina area.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (Supplementary)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Supplementary)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Supplementary)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: May I just make a very general observation? I am conscious that the period is up to 4 December so there could be reviews. We want the scheme to go ahead. The Deputy will appreciate that I do not wish to comment on the scheme in great detail because we are still in that period. We want to get to 4 December so that the OPW can then commence construction of the scheme.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (Supplementary)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Supplementary)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Supplementary)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: That relates to extra buildings and the state of older or obsolescent buildings.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (Supplementary)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Supplementary)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Supplementary)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: There are three elements to it. One is the increase in the number of buildings. Another is the profile of those buildings, with many being obsolete. The helpdesk has been extended on a more geographical basis in the last year. People are therefore able to avail of the service a lot more.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (Supplementary)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Supplementary)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Supplementary)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: The last time the Minister was here, I asked about the local State solicitors service. Does that come under the Minister, Deputy Donohoe's remit?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (Supplementary)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Supplementary)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Supplementary)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: Is it under Vote 5?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (Supplementary)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Supplementary)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Supplementary)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

John McGuinness: That is it. We probably will not be-----